Alan Ockelford

 

Alan Ockelford - Professional Summary:

 

A highly experienced and innovative Project Manager with a proven track record of success within a broad range of industry sectors coupled with PRINCE2 and ITIL certification. While being recognised for developing effective business relationships and supplier partnerships with the ability to rapidly understand the business culture and the full objectives and requirements of the business. My effective management skills allow for decisive leadership, while empowering team members through motivational advice, achieving a consensus of direction through negotiation & persuasion.

 

My key strengths include: budget control, customer relationship management, detailed requirements analysis, product developer, project planning, risk management, service level management, software design and, team building and management. Consistently implemented solutions to improve business efficiency with better value for money gains, achieved through proven excellence of a broad range of project management methodologies.

 

My key client relationships include: Anduff Carwash (ARC), BROTAF Welsh Health Authority, General Medical Council, Office of National Statistics (GPRD), Public Health Laboratory Service, Pura Foods Ltd, Reuters Health Care, Thames Estuary Terminals, University of the Creative Arts, University of Hertfordshire, VAMP Health Ltd (In Practice Systems Ltd).

My career highlights include:

• Using my project management skills to create and implement a centralised procurement programme to replace capital desktop ICT equipment for the University for the Creative Arts over four years
• Introduced ITIL best practice relating to ICT helpdesk, software asset management & capacity planning for the University for the Creative Arts.
• Project managed various hardware and software implementations including a Server Farm.
• Awarded the prestigious ‘FE First Award' from the College Marketing Network.
• Produced a web content management system and other programming developments that allowed the IT Department to become an income stream for the Kent Institute of Art & Design.
• Developed Costing and Estimating programmes which I sold and supported.

Alan Ockelford - Professional Experience: 

  

JKN Enterprises Ltd: Self-Employed Freelance ICT Professional May 2008 - present

An SME based in the South and South East

Contract work 

 

Java and JSP DEVELOPER: University for the Creative Arts (Contract)

• Provided developmental support for the project team.
• Developed Java applications for their virtual learning environment - Blackboard.
• Developed JSP web pages for Blackboard that included Java apps with JavaBeans.
• Developed links between other systems such as the library system using SQL 2008.

WEB DEVELOPER: Entity Management Systems (Contract) 

Develop a content management system that is distributed object architecture enabled to work across different operating platforms; split between three layers: presentation (web), middle business object (application) and database.

• Responsible for advising and managing 3 programmers and supporting systems.
• Lead Developer of cms with cross platform operation and multi-layered functionality.
• Provided frontend presentation layer using Ajax, JavaScript, HTML and XML.
• Built presentation layer utilising .Net, ASP & C# for Windows webserver, JSP & PHP for non-Windows.
• Utilised VB, C++, Java, JavaBeans to build appropriate middleware connectivity to data sources.
• Used MySQL & SQL Server 2005 & XML to provide current data sources.

ICT CAPITAL PROCUREMENT CONSULTANT: University College for Creative Arts (Contract)

Within a £750k budgetary framework defined, scoped and implemented the Capital Procurement process for Desktop Equipment. Built the business case and technical requirements following negotiations with all stakeholders: end-users, technicians & senior management; including Finance Director.

• Responsible for project managing the £750k Capital Procurement Budget for desktop ICT replacement.
• Coordinated building of business case following negotiations with all relevant stakeholders.
• Negotiated contracts utilising value money principles and Office of Government Commerce Frameworks.
• Utilised VBA, C++ and SQL Server 2005 to gather information, using Excel & MS Project for planning.
• Used ITIL to ensure capacity management and IT rationalisation fitted with the strategic objectives.

Aug 2005 - April 2008
Permanent University College for the Creative Arts at Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, Maidstone and Rochester.
Educational institution based in the South East.
User Support Manager - Permanent

In this role I represented the central function of Computing and IT to the User Community within the corporate body and represented the User Community within the central function of Computing and IT.

• Managed, motivated and mentored ICT Helpdesk, Training, Procurement & VLE Admin teams.
• Project managed annual procurement and disposal programme with an annual budget of over £500,000.
• Project managed various hardware and software implementations including the new Server Farm.
• Extended ITIL methodology over a number of areas in ICT management.
• Developed configuration maintenance database by data extraction from various systems using VBA, C++, SQL.
• Utilised ITIL as part of desktop lifecycle capacity management and IT rationalisation programme.
• Developed ITIL software asset management with Keyserver & Group policy objects - £200k budget.
• Responsible for coordinating & centralising school & department ICT budgets of over £400,000.
• Integrated VLE administration with other systems using Java, Javascript, SQL, DTS Packages & VB.

Aug 2002 - July 2005
Permanent Kent Institute of Art and Design
Educational institution based in Kent.
Customer Services Manager - Permanent

This enabled me to provide the people side of the computing function within the Computing and IT department.

• Managed, motivated and mentored five staff over three teams covering IT Helpdesk, ICT Training and Web Development Team.
• Project managed building of customer websites, generating profits for the institution.
• Introduced IT Helpdesk utilising ITIL methodology covering SLA's, OLA's and service delivery.
• Responsible for development, construction and project management of institute websites.
• Developed content management system supporting websites using ASP, HTML, JavaScript, VB, SQL.
• Responsible for the BCS PDS Scheme as Scheme Supervisor involving 10 personnel.
• Responsibility for department budgets & negotiating with finance.

July 2000 - July 2002
Permanent Kent Institute of Art and Design
Educational institution based in Kent.
Web Manager - Permanent

In this role I was responsible for generating third stream income for the Institution, ameliorating the perception that ICT was a black hole for expenditure.

• Day to day line management of the Web Team through leadership, motivation and advice. The Web Team grew from two to four staff. Lead designer and developer of all data interfaces.
• Responsible for the construction & maintenance of the Institution's Website & Intranet.
• Responsible for all aspects of Customer websites, including data interfaces, built by the Web Team as part of third stream funding, generating profits for the institution.
• Developed a Course Unit Catalogue using ASP, JavaScript, CSS and HTML.
• Developed a self-service web based user account creation system that linked with the SITS Registry system and interacted with Active Directory, using ASP, VB and SQL.
• Responsibility for department budgets & negotiating with finance.

July 1987 - July 2000
Contract Self Employed Freelance Computer Programmer
Sole trader providing computer services to SME's.

Contract Work

As a freelance worker I had to full fill many roles from salesman through project manager, to developer and installation, together with procurement and engineering support services.

• Sold and Installed computer systems and networks.
• Programming services to companies including Reuters & Office of National Statistics.
• Wrote costing system using C++ and Paradox database.
• Wrote stock system for a maintenance company using C & Delphi.
• Wrote carwash sales analysis program using Access and VB.
• Wrote patient registration and funding using COBOL and Foxpro.

February 1985 - July 87
Permanent Westminster Micros
Computer Services based in London
User Support Manager - Permanent

While here I progressed from trainee support engineer to User Support Manager.

• Managed two staff, a programmer and a support engineer.
• Installed computer systems and networks for clients.
• Helpdesk supporting Global 2000 and 3000 packages.
• Programming services, using COBOL, for company clients.
• Pre and post sales support for customers.

December 1981 - February 85
Permanent George East Housewares
Kitchen Gadget Importers based in Kent
Stock Clerk & Computer User/Responsibility/Programmer -  Permanent

• Apple III, Ormbeta Sales, report writing using Pascal.
• Sales analysis and reporting using GW-BASIC.

Alan Ockelford - Education:   

 

APM Practitioner Certificate in PRINCE2 

ISEB Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management

BCS European Computer Driving License 

Oxford University Computing Service Web Accessibility: Design-for-all.

Management Development Courses - Leadership Foundation 

 

Currently studying BA Hons in History with the Open University 

 

‘A' Levels in Pure Math & Physics, ‘AO' Level in Pure Math
‘O' Levels in English, Math, Physics, History and Geography.

 

Alan Ockelford - Interests: 

• Military History.
• Model Making and Painting.
• Wargaming member of Maidstone Wargaming Society.
• Walking and Swiming with local gym membership.

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